Storm-shield for vehicles.



Eu /39,144. V PATENTED MAY 9,1905.

1. 0. DENMAN. STORM SHIELD FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24,1904.

J nventor.

Hctomegs NITED STATES Patented May 9, 1905.

IRA O. DENMAN, OF CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS.

STORM-SHIELD FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,144, dated. IvIay 9, 1905.

' Application filed June 24, 1904. Serial No. 214,026.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IRA O. DENMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charleston, in the county of Coles and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Storm- Shield for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to storm-shields for vehicles; and it has for its object generally to provide a device of this class which shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and general efficiency.

A special object of the invention is to provide improved means for connecting the top of the shield-frame with the front valance of the buggy-top, whereby the connection may be readily cast off in case of necessitysuch as, for instance, in case of runaway or accident of some kind.

Another object is to provide improved means whereby the shield-frame may be adj usted to fit vehicles of various sizes.

Still another object is to improve the shape of the shield-frame in such a manner that side curtains when used may be extended down below the point at which they usually terminate, thereby providing a more efficient and waterproof covering.

With these and other ends in view, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and particularl y pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of embodiment of the invention, it being understood, however, that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that the right is re served to any changes, alterations, and modifications which come fairly within the scope of the invention and which may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the efficiency of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of the main frame of the improved storm-shield. Fig. 2 is a central vertical secfrom the ends of which brackets 5 extenddownwardly and outwardly to support the lower ends of the side members 1 of the bow B. These side members 1 1 are set back from the lower ends of the side members 3 3 and are, as will be seen, extended below the latter. This is for the purpose of forming means of attachment for the side curtains of the shield below the sill, which latter is intended to be supported in any suitable manner, and I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself with regard to the supporting means for the shield-frame, which latter, if desired, may be supported upon the upper front edge of the vehicle-box or upon or adjacent to the dashboard of the vehicle.

The frame F is provided with a pair of ver tical braces 6 6, which are connected by transverse braces 7 7 with the vertical side members 3 3, thus forming a durable and stronglyconstructed frame, Which may be partially covered with rubber cloth or other suitable waterproof material, with the exception of the "space between the upper ends of the braces 6, where a window-sash 8 is hung by means of spring-hinges 9, which latter are constructed to swing the window open when released from the lock or latch 10, which normally holds the window-sash securely closed between the upper ends of the uprights 6, which constitute the window-jambs. The panels adjacent to the window-sash 8 may also be filled with glass or other transparent material. Below the sash a slot 11 is left open for the passage of the reins.

12 designates a cross-brace, which 1s mortised into the uprights 6 just below the opening 11, and this cross-brace is connected with the foot-piece or sill4 by means of a vertical brace 13. Hingedly connected with the cross-brace 12 is a cross-piece 14, having a central downwardly-extending arm 15, provided with an extension-piece 16, having a lug 17 riveted to or otherwise suitably connected therewith, said lug extending through a slot 18 in the arm 15 and carrying a washerplate 18' and a cam-lever 19, which when raised so as to disengage the cam member from the washer 18 will permit the extension-piece to be adjusted vertically upon the arm 15, while by depressing the handle end of the lever the cam will be caused to bear against the washer 18 thereby securing the extension-piece with relation to the arm 15. The extension-piece 16' has at its lower end a cross-piece 20, adapted to rest upon the floor of the vehicle-box to which the device is attached. The vertical brace 13 is provided with a screw-threaded stem 21, extending therethrough and also through a slot 22 in the arm 15. The screw-threaded member 21 carries a washer-plate 23 and a cam-lever 24, which latter may be de ressed against the washer member to force t e arm 15 in the direction of the brace 13,. The operation of this device, which constitutes the means for connecting the storm-shield with the box of the vehicle to which it is to be attached, is obvious. The bottom sill of the shieldframe is supported upon the front springbar. or in the position which it is intended to occupy, and the extension member 16 is then adjusted upon the arm 15 in such a position that the cross-piece 20 will rest lightly upon the floor of the vehiclebox, in which position it is securedby simply tightening the cam-lever 19. When the device has been thus adjusted, simple pressure upon the cam-lever 21 will force the arm 15 of the hingedlymounted member 14 in the direction of the brace 13, thus causing the shield-frame to be clamped securely in position for operation.

The top member of the shield-frame is provided with a pair of vertically disposed straps or brackets 25, having slots 26 for the rece tion of the securing-bolts 27 whereby said rackets are made vertically adjustable. These brackets are provided at their upper ends with rearwardly-extending pins 28.

29 designates a top board adapted for contact with the front bow of the top of the vehicle in connection with which the device is to be used. This top board is provided with forwardly-extending tubes 30, telescoping over the pins 28 and adapted to be secured with. relation to the latter by means of thumb-screws 31. The top board 29 is provided on its front side with bearings for a rock-shaft 32, having a centrally-disposed handle 33,- by means of which it may be manipulated and provided at the ends thereof with cranks which may take the form of wrist-pins 34, pivotally connected with disks 35 and provided with threaded perforations through which rods 36, provided at their rear ends with hooks 37, extend. The top board 29 is provided at its lower rear edge with a sheet-metal gutter 38, discharging at the extremities of the board for the purpose of collecting and discharging such water as may possibly leak under the covering of the shield. Said top board is connected with the top of the shield-frame proper by a flexible covering 40, which is of waterproof material and which is made full enough to bridge the space between the top of the shieldframe andthe front bow of the top of any vehicle in connection with which it may be used. This covering may be extended in rear of the top board 29 in the shape of a hood 41, and the top board itself may be left plain, or it may be provided with a plain covering of rubber cloth or drilling. Y

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, it will be observed that provision is made first of all for the adjustment of the shield-frame proper and all its related parts with relation to the bottom of the vehiclebox upon which it is to be attached, that means are provided which form an auxiliary supporting means for the frame directly resting upon the bottom of the vehicle-box, and that these parts are capable of adjustment to any vehicle.

In lieu of extending the driving-reins through a slit formed in the shield-frame for their passage I extend said reins through a space or opening below the window-sash which being mounted upon self-opening spring-hinges will fly open as soon as re leased from the latch whereby it is normally held closed. Consequently in case it should be needed for the purpose of controlling the horse the window may by merely touching the latch be flung open, and the entire window-opening will afford ample room for the manipulation of the reins. This I consider an important feature of the invention and one which cannot Well be-attained except by mounting the sash hingedly, as herein shown, although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to this precise construction.

The top board 29, it will be observed, is connected adjustably with the top of the shield-frame and may be adjusted to any position in which it will form a close and accurate contact with the front bow of the top of the vehicle upon which the device is to be used. In operation when the shield has been adjusted and the vehicle-top raised the hooks 37 of the brace-rods 36 are adjusted upon the studs of the front valance, when by manipulating the handle 33 the rock-shaft 32 may be given a partial turn, thereby causing the hook members to be forced in a forward di- ITO rection and accomplishing a verysecure connection between the top board and the top of the buggy. It is obvious that the rods 36, having the hooks 37, will be previously adjusted to fit the top of the vehicle upon which the device is to be used. In fact, when the device is to be changed from one vehicle to another it may be necessary to adjust the clamping member 16, the clamping device 21, the front bow-carrying tubes 30, telescoping upon the pins 28, and the hooked rods 36; but after the device has been once fitted to any vehicle no further adjustment is required in order to apply it or remove it from said vehicle.

An especially important feature of the invention is the great facility and rapidity with which the device may be applied, and especially the facility with which it may be detached from a vehicle, the detachment being effected simply by manipulating the handle 33 and the cam member 23, the opera tion of the former causing the rods 36, having the hooks 37, to immediately drop down and become disengaged from the vehicle-top, while the release of the cam-lever 23 releases the top of the clamping device upon the dashboard of the vehicle and related parts. Other advantages will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains.

Having thus described the invention,what is claimed is 1. A shield-frame having a central vertical brace, a cross-piece hinged to said frame and having an arm registering with said brace, and clamping means for forcing said arm in the direction of said brace.

2. A shield-frame having a vertical brace, a cross-piece hinged to said frame and having an arm registering with said brace, a screw-threaded member extending through the latter and having a head extending through a slot in the arm of the hinged member, and a cam-lever connected with said head.

3. A shield-frame having a vertical brace, a cross-piece hinged to said shield-frame and having an arm registering with said brace, a screw-threaded member extending through the latter and having a head extending through aslot in the arm of the hinged crosspiece, a washer-plate upon the screw-threaded member, and a cam-lever connected pivotally with the head of the latter and adapted to engage the washer-plate.

4. A shield-frame, having a hinged crosspiece provided with a downwardly-extending arm, an extension member connected adjustably with said arm, and clamping means for forcing the latter in the direction of the shield-frame.

5. A shield-frame having a vertical brace, a cross-piece hinged to the shield and having an arm registering with said brace, an extension member connected adjustably with said arm, and adjustable clamping means connecting the latter with the vertical brace of the shield-frame.

6. A storm-shield frame having a windowopening and a cross-piece constituting the sill or lower edge of said opening, in combination with a window mounted in said opening a short distance above the sill and hingedly connected with one of the sides or jambs to swing horizontally.

7. A storm-shield frame having a windowopening and a window hingedly connected with the shield and spaced from one side of said opening and hingedly connected with one of the sides or jambs to swing horizontally.

8. In a storm-shield a frame having a windowopening, a window partly filling said opening and spaced from one edge thereof, self-opening spring-hinges connecting said window with the frame, and latch means to hold the window closed against the tension of the hinge-springs.

9. In a storm-shield, a frame including an outer bow having side members extended be low the sill or bottom piece of the frame, and brackets connecting the ends of the latter with the lower ends of the side members of the bow.

10. A storm-shield frame, brackets vertically adjustable upon said frame, and a top board carried by said brackets and adapted for contact with the front bow of a vehicle.

11. A storm-shield frame, brackets vertically adjustable upon said frame, pins extending from said brackets, and a top board having tubular members telescoping upon said pins and provided with fastening means engaging the latter. 12. A storm-shield frame, brackets upon saidframe havingrearwardly-extending pins, and a top board having tubular members telescoping upon said pins, and connecting means.

13. The combination with a shield-frame, of a top board adapted for engagement with the front bow of a vehicle-top, means for supporting said top board with relation to the shield-frame, and means for adjusting said top board at various distances from said shield-frame.

14. A shield-frame, a top board connected with the same, and adapted for engagement with the front bow of a vehicle-top, a rockshaft mounted in bearings upon said top board and having cranks at the ends thereof and an intermediate operating-handle, and hook members connected with said cranks and adapted for detachable engagement with the front valance of a vehicle-top.

15. A shield-frame, a top board supported by said frame and adapted for engagement with the front bow of a vehicle-top, a rockshaft journaled upon said top board, wristpins at the ends of said rock-sh aft, and hooked rods connected adjustably with said Wristpins. I

16. A shield-frame, a top board connected With said frame, a rock-shaft upon said top board and having disks at the ends thereof, Wrist-pins pivotally connected With said disks, and hooked rods threaded through said Wrist-pins.

17. A shield-frame, a top board connected adj ustably With said shield-frame, an extensible hood connecting the top board with the top of the shield-frame, and a Water-lead connected With the top board and discharging at the ends thereof.

18. A shield-frame, a top board connected adjustably with said frame and adapted for contact With the front boW of a vehicle-top, a rockshaft journaled upon said top board, wrist Vpins having swivel connection With said rock-shaft, hooked members threaded through said Wrist-pins and having upturned hooks for engagement with studs upon the front Valance of the vehicle-top, and a centrally-disposed operating-handle upon said rock-shaft.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my oWn I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

IRA o. DENMAN.

Witnesses V. S. BROWN, J. M. STUBER. 

